What is Title IX?

A federal law that simply states, no person in the U.S. shall be on the basis of sex, be excluded from, denied benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

It is often thought that Title IX is only covers athletics programs, when it is a much broader spectrum.

Who Does Title IX Protect?

Any person in connection with all educational, extracurricular, athletic, and/or other programs of the school; even if the events take place off campus during a school event.

This Can Be:

Students

Staff

Faculty

Reducing the Risk of Sexual Assault

You have the right to your own values, attitudes and beliefs about sexual behavior and relationships in general. Therefore, you have the right to determine the type of interactions and activities you feel comfortable with and to end those activities at any time.

You are not obligated to perform sexual acts as payment or as a favor.

You have the right to deny alcohol at any time. Alcohol impairs your judgment and lowers your ability to say NO!

You have the right to say no at any time, for any reason, and to let the offending party know that his/her actions are unwelcome.

Going to parties with people you trust may help you to avoid dangerous situations, and is a great way to ensure that there will be others close by when needed.

Having your own transportation gives you a degree of power to leave a challenging and potentially high risk situation. If you travel to a party with a friend, depart together—stay safe.

If you must walk alone, call for a walking escort. Call (605) 394-6100.

Steps if you have been assaulted:

If you are in immediate danger, get to a safe place.

Call Campus Safety or the Police. Contact a safe person such as a friend. Campus Counseling Services and other community agencies are available to assist you.

If this is immediately following a sexual assault, please do not shower or “clean up.” While this is a natural impulse, medical examiners and forensics experts can use evidence from an assault to prosecute perpetrators. If you do “clean up,” there may still be information and evidence that can be collected.

All victims of sexual assaults are assisted by trained medical staff through Regional Health Systems, and Working Against Violence, Inc. (WAVI) volunteers are available to help victims through their trauma.

You may wish to write down details of your assault. Be as thorough and descriptive as possible. If you can, make clothing and other items available to law enforcement.

Do not blame yourself. Sexual Assault is never the victim’s fault. Talk to others to get help. Friends, counseling services, and community agencies can help you.

Related Links

Title IX

(Sexual Misconduct)
You can report an incident of sexual harassment or sexual violence through the student Advocate Online Reporting. This report can be made anonymously if the student chooses not to disclose certain details.More Information